Lucy (Lou) Allport Simpson died peacefully at Oak Hammock in Gainesville at age 103.
Lou was born in Shumansville, VA in 1917. As a young woman she worked for the FBI in Washington DC and received a commendation letter from J. Edgar Hoover for her work. In 1946 Lou married Charles (Charlie) F. Simpson, a young veterinarian, and in 1948 they moved to Gainesville for Charlie to work for UF Veterinary Medicine. In Gainesville, Lou was a homemaker and she and Charlie raised two children. She was an amazing wife and mother and, later in life, an amazing grandmother and great grandmother.
Lou was a petite woman in stature but a huge person as in character and life. She was a woman of incredible faith and a member of First Baptist Church in Gainesville since her move to Gainesville.
Lou’s first priorities were faith and her family. But Lou was also active in community activities including the Gainesville Women’s Club, University Women’s Club, Agricultural Women’s Club, UF Veterinary Auxiliary and the Gainesville Garden Club (Hibiscus Circle) all in which she held several leadership positions. She was also very involved with all volunteerism at First Baptist Church.
Lou was preceded in death by her parents, her other 5 siblings, her beloved daughter-in-law Cheryl Simpson and her husband Charlie. She leaves behind an amazing legacy with her children Vicki Emo (Warren) of Charleston, SC, her son Kim Charles of Gainesville, granddaughters Jennifer, Heather and Lauren and 6 great grandchildren.
This obituary would not be complete without thanking the incredible current and former staff at Oak Hammock in Gainesville who lovingly cared for Lou for almost 18 years. Her family will be forever grateful and they will always be a part of our family.
In lieu of flowers, if you want to make a donation, please make it in her memory to First Baptist Church, 14105 NW 39 Ave, Gainesville 32606. Services will be private and graveside at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of MILAM FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES 311 S. Main Street Gainesville, FL 32601 (352) 376-5361 www.milamfh.com
